Apparatus for liquids separating



M. G. FARRAR.

APPARATUS FOR LIQUIDS SEPARATING.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 6, i920. 1,371,61 3, Patented Mar. 15, 1921.

M. G1 FARRAR. APPARATUS FOR LIQUIDS SEPARATING.

APPILICATION FILED MAR. 6, |920.

Patented Mar. 15, 1921.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2- UNITED) STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MERCER G. FABIRAR OFORANFOBD, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOB. T0 THE CLOTHEL COM- PANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A. CORPORATION 0F MAINE,

.APPARATUS FOB LIQUIDS SEPARATING.

y Application illed Iarch 6, 1920. Serial' No. 383,778.

To all 'whom t may comem;

Be it known that I, MERCER G. FARRAR, a citizen. of the United States, residing at Cranford, in the State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful fImprovements in Apparatus for Liquids Separating,

'of which the following is a specification.

My present invention relates to apparatus by which two liquids of diiferent specific gravities, which have become mixed orl emulsiied, may be separated.`

One ofthe objects 4of my invention is to' provide a simple -apparatus by whichtwo liquids, which have been shaken together-to form an emulsion, may be separated, and particularly an apparatus in which such separation may be carried on continuously and withoutH a vremixing vof the liquids.A

With theseand other objects in view, my invention consists in the apparatus hereinafter described and more specically pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a longitudinal `vertical elevation of one formV of -inyl apparatus designed particularly to separate the lubricant from thel refrigerant 1n refrigeratin apparatus, the section ,being taken on t e line 1, 1 of Fig. 2; Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional elevation on the line 2, 2

of Fig. 1'; 3 is a verticalsectional elevation, and Fig. 4 is a plan view of a modii'cation of my novel apparatus.

In the drawings'the same parts in the different views are indicated by like reference. characters. Y

I have for purposes of illustration shown my novel a paratus in the forni in which it can be re ilyapplied to refrigerating machinery in which a refrigerant, such as ethyl chlorid, coming from a compressor is shaken up and mixed with a lubricant, such as glycerin, which lubricant is heavier than the refrigerant. y

In the .illustrative arrangement show'n in Figs. -1 and 2, 10 is a horizontal tube, ipe or vesstl in the .right hand end `of w 'ch Y through the pipe 13 the mixture of the two liquids is-permitted to flow from vany tank or reserv 1r 9. When u sed in connection with refrigerating apparatus, this'tank will be the condenser or cooler. hand end of the pipe 10, there is avertical standpipe 11, having its upper end e anded into a reservoir with a -horizonta projection 12. On a portion of the pipe 10 and distance above the At the left preferably below the standpipe 11, is an outlet pipe 14. On the outer end of the projection 12 I provide la screw plu 15 in which 1s formed an outlet 16 contro led by a ball valve 17 ha a float 18, and being lplvoted at 19. The oat' 18 is arran d so that when the liquid the standpl el 11 n ses to a predetermined height, the va ve 17 will be opened to permit the liquid to pass out of the outlet 16."

In operation, the mixed liquids' flow from tank 9, or some other source of sup ly, through the 13, into the longitudinal pipe 10 whic is made of suilicient length so'that, as the liquids flow slowly toward the outlet end of the pipe, the two liquids will separate into layers or strata with the heavier liquid at the bottom. Preferably, the parts are proportioned in relation to the rate of flow of the mixed liquids, so that the plane of separation between the two will be below the center line of the pi 10. When the liquids are thus separated, lmhave found that an attempt to draw off one from the other may so disturb the plane ofseparation that some of the other liquid will be Patented Mar. 15, 1921.

drawn oif. I have found, however, that this diiculty will be overcome if at least the outlet for the'liquidwhich preponderates in the mixture be located at aconsiderable distance from theplane of separation of the liquids inthe horizontal pipe. AThe disturbance produced by the eddies which are necessaril formed as the liquids flow out of an o portionally tothe rate and quantity of fiow, is not permitted to` reach the plane of separation, therefore, sc that there is no remixing ofthe liquids as they are dra-wn of. To accomplish this, I preferably place the outlet opening 1,6 not only at a considerable plane of separation between the two liquids in the pipe 10, but also preferably, as in the arrangement shown in-Figs. 1 and 2, considerably to one side of the vertical column of the lighter liquid. In such an arrangement, any currents which may be set up in the body of 'the lighter liquld in theA projection 12 will have no disturbing effect on the plane of separation between the two liquids in the pipehlO. erefore, when the lighter liquid has filled the standpipe 11 and the extension 12 to a point where the ball 18 will be lifted to oppn the valve 17, the lighter liquid, which, in the apparatus illustrated, is a refrigerant, may flow through the outlet 16. When my separating apparatus is used in connection -With a refrigerating apparatus, the outlet 16 will connect directly with'the expansion tank,and since the refrigerant is circulating continuouslythrough the refrigerating apparatus, the valve 17 will not be opened until suiicient of the refrigerant has been returnedthrough the pipe 13 and the separating apparatus to raise the ball 18.

Preferably, and particularly when the liquid passing through the outlet 16 is a refrigerant, suchas ethyl chlorid, I arrange the levels so that the outlet 16 is always considerably submerged. In refrigeratingapparatus, there is considerable difference in pressure on oppositesides of the outlet, and I have found that, unless this outlet iskept submerged, the'passing of the liquid from one pressure to the other tends to churn up the liquid in the standpipe, which in turn disturbs the level of separation between the two liquids. By providing the float controlled valve, Iy insure a submergence of the outlet before any liquid can pass through it.

Moreover, when used with a refrigerant,[ considerable variation inthe level of the liquid in the standpipe will occur unless provision is made to control it. Thus, increase in the heat of the room, may increase the pressure in the space over the liquid and thus lower the level. In order to obviate this, I preferably connect the space above the liquid in standpipe 11 with the space above the liquid in the tank 9, as by pipe 8.

Hence any increase or decrease of pressure above the liquid will not affect the level. of the liquid.

In the formof apparatus shown in Figs. 3 and 4;, there is a horizontal pipe or tube 20 having a vertical standpipe 21 at the right hand end and a mixed fluid inlet 23 at the left hand end, and a heavy fluid outlet 24: at the bottom of the tube 20. Leading from the upper part of the standpipe 21 is an outlet 26 which, in this instance, is formed as a pipe extending down throughthe standpipe and out through the end of the tube 20.

It will be seen that the arrangement shown in Figs. 3 and 4L is in many respects like that shown in Figs. '1 and 2, since the mixed liquids enter at one end ofy a long horizontal tube in which the two liquids gradually separate, -so that'when the opposite end of the tube is reached, the lighter liquid may rise in the standpipe, from' the upper end of which it is drawn'ofx', the outletxbeing at a considerable distance from the plane of separation between the two liquids in the pipe Y 20, such plane being, for instance, at the line indicated by a dot and dash line in 3.

greater distance from theplane of separation of the liquids than it is necessary to locate the heavy liquid outlet.

If the ratio of light and heavy liquids were'reversed, so that the quantity of heavy For this reason, I ind it desirable lt0 locate the light liquid outlet at a much liquid to be removed would greatly exceed v the quantity of light liquid, then the arrangement of the parts preferably would be reversed so as to extend the vertical column downward to locate the heavy liquid outlet farther from the plane ofseparation than -the light liquid outlet. By the use of the vertical column, I am enabled to locate an outle't at a considerable distance from the plane of separation without greatly increasing the quantity of liquid held in the separating device and by locating this column at a point removed from the inlet end, to insure that such column will be filled with only one kind of liquid.

It will be understood that thecross sectional area of the horizontal pipe or vessel is preferably considerably larger than the cross sectional area of the inlet pipe so that the mixed liquids will move through the horizontal pipeat a velocity relatively very slow compared with the velocity of How through the inlet. This will ermit the two liquids to separate before reac ing the outlet end even with a comparativelyV short travel. If the apparatus is not designed to give this relatively'slow/ horizontal velocity, then it will be necessary to lengthen the horizontalv shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the extension or projection 12 provides a large pool from the top of which the lighter liquid is'withdrawn. This large pool removes still `further the possibility of disturbing the planeof separation between the liquids, because, obviously, any eddies in such a pool will be absorbed before being transmitted vto the `.vertical columnof' liquid. This advantage is further actuated when the outlet vis placed considerabl to one side of the vertical column, asin igs. 1 and 2. In case the vertical column extended downward, such a pool may be advantageously used at the bottom one side of the column.

While I have described my novel apparatus in the form in which I prefer to ap-ply it to refrigerating apparatus, it will be understood that it may be used in separating any two liquids of different specific gravities, and particularly that it may be used in refrigerating apparatus in which refrigerants and lubricants other than those which I have indicated, are used.

It will also be understood that the apparatus may be varied within wide limits and that, indeed, the method which I have described, may be carried out by any suitable apparatus set up to that end.

1. In a liquids separatingl apparatus, a horizontalconduit having an inlet arranged to permit the mixed liquids to enter at one end of said conduit and flow slowly toward the other end, said conduit having a vertical extension at the end oppositesaid inlet and a pair of outlets at said end and at opposite sides ofthe plane of separation of the liquid in said conduit, one of said outlets belng at the end of said extension from said conduit. Y

2. Ina liquids separating apparatus, a

' "horizontal conduit having an inlet arranged to permit the mixed li uids to enter at one end of said conduit an flow slowly toward the other end, said conduit having a vertical extensionat the end opposite said inlet,

said extension having an enlargement at its -end away from said conduit, and a pair of outlets ony opposite sides of the plane of A separation of the liquids in said conduit,

one of said outlets being in said enlargement.

3. In a liquids separating apparatus, a

horizontal pipe having an inlet opening at one end, a verticalextension of sald pipe at the end opposite said inlet, Said vertical extension having a horizontal extension at its end away from said conduit and said horizontal extension having a fluid outlet at its end' removed from said vertical extension,

said conduit having an outlet on the side, of the plane of separation of the liquids in said conduit which is opposite said vertical extenslon.

4. In ya liquids separating apparatus, a

horizontal pipe having an inlet opening at one end, a vertical extension of said pipe at the end opposite said inlet, said vertical extensionl having a' horizontal extension. at itsend away from sa1d condult and said horizontal extension having a` luid outlet at its-end removed from Said vertical extension, said conduit having an' outlet on the side of the plane of separation of the liquids' in said conduit which` is opposite said vertical extension, and a valve controlled :by

away

the level of the fiuid'in saidl horizontal extension to control said outlet in said extension.

5. In a liquids separating apparatus, a horizontal pipe having an inlet opening at A one end and a heavy liquid outlet at its bottom-at a point removed from said inlet end, an upward extending vertical column at the end of said pipe opposite to said inlet end,

said vertical column being expanded at its upper part to provide space for a relatively large part of the lighter iuid and a light fluid outlet in the upper part of said vertical column.

6. In a liquids separating apparatus, a horizontal pipe having an inlet opening at one end and a heavy liquid outlet at its bottom at a point removed from said inlet end, v

an upward 'extending vertical column at the end of said pipe opposite to said inlet end, said vertical column being expanded at its upper part to provide space for a relatively large part of the lighter Huid, a light fluidA outlet in the upper part of said vertical column, and a valve controlled by the level of th? light luid, to control said outlet.

n a liquids separating apparatus, a-

v tom at a point remove from saidV inlet end,

an upward extending vertical column at the end of said pipe opposite to said inlet end and a light fluid outlet in the upper part of said vertical column, the cross sectional area of said pipe being considerably larger than the cross sectional areas of said inlet pipe.

9. In a liquids separating apparatus, a horizontal pipe having an inlet openin at one endand a heavy liquid outlet at'itsy ottom at a point removed from said inlet end, an upward extending verticalA column at the end of said pipe opposite to said inlet end, a liquid outlet in 'the upper part of said vertical column, a valve to control said outlet and means to prevent the opening of said outlet unless said outlet is submerged by the' liquid in said column.

10. In a liquids vseparating apparatus, a horizontal pipeI having an inlet opening one end and-a heavy liquid outlet at its ot- `tom at a point removed from said inlet end,

an upward extending vertical column at the end of said pipe oppositeto said inlet end, a li uid outlet in the upper part of said, vertic column, ayalve to control said outlet and a float connected to said valve and ar\ ranged to open said valve onlyfwhen the level of the liquid insaid column is at a predetermined height above said outlet. y

11. In a liquids separating apparatus, a horizontal pipe, a supply tank, an inlet tube connecting said tank with one'end of said pipe, a vertical extension of saidqnipe at the end opposite sfaid inlet,.a heavy liquid outlet in the bottom of said pipe, a light liquid outlet in the upper part of said column and a connection between the space above the fluid in said column and the space above the fluid in said tank.

12. In a liquids separating apparatus, a horizontal pipe, a supply tank, an inlet tube connecting said tank withone end of said 15 pipe, a vertical extension of said pipe at -the end opposite said inlet, a heavy l1 uid outlet in the bottom of said pipe, a light liquid outlet in the upper part of said column aud a connection between the space 20 close said outlet when the level of the li uidin said column falls below a predetermined 25 point above said outlet.

MERCERG. FARRAR. 

